During Tuesday’s 125-109 road win against the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves made his first appearance since December 25, returning from a left calf injury. While Reaves contributed 15 points and several defensive plays in 21 minutes off the bench, much of the postgame buzz centered on a moment when he was not credited with an assist due to a rarely enforced NBA rule, sparking calls for a rule revision.
Unpacking the Disputed Off-the-Backboard Lob to LeBron James
After missing 19 games, the 27-year-old Reaves showed some rust, shooting 33.3% from the floor, including just one of five attempts beyond the arc. However, the key moment came early in the second quarter when Reaves pushed a fast break and lobbed a pass off the backboard to LeBron James, who finished with a two-handed dunk that extended the Lakers’ lead to 49-25.
Despite the impressive play, Reaves was not awarded an assist due to an obscure NBA guideline that disqualifies passes deliberately thrown off the backboard from earning an assist credit. Lakers coach JJ Redick and many fans expressed disbelief at how the rule affected the official scorekeeping.
Calls from Analysts and Fans to Modernize the Assist Definition
ESPN insider Dave McMenamin highlighted the rule’s limitations on social media, stating,
“Apparently, per the NBA rulebook, throwing a pass off the backboard intentionally to a teammate for a score can not result in an assist. Seems like an easy fix for the competition committee in the offseason.”
This rule prevented Reaves’ highlight from contributing to his assist total, despite the play’s clear creation of a scoring opportunity.
On the fan side, notable voices such as @ThePettiestLA voiced frustration, questioning the rationale behind the existing criteria.
“That’s wild. It should automatically be an assist WHEN it’s obvious the pass was intentional,”
the user commented, underscoring the growing confusion surrounding the rule.
Even Redick confessed his unfamiliarity with the current box score recording standard, admitting postgame,
“I didn’t realize throwing the ball off the backboard to a teammate is not considered an assist anymore.”
Previous Criticism from NBA Players Reflects Wider Discontent
The controversy over this assist rule is not new. Last August, Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton and Washington Wizards‘ Trae Young publicly criticized the league’s stance on lob passes. Young remarked that he
“stopped throwing them when they stopped counting them,”
indicating that the rule has influenced player behavior as well.
Implications and Potential Next Steps for NBA Rulemakers
The frustration expressed by players, coaches, analysts, and fans alike highlights a growing consensus that the current assist rule may be outdated and counterintuitive. As the league seeks to accurately reward playmaking and creativity, pressure is mounting on the NBA’s competition committee to reconsider this regulation. Future offseason discussions could lead to a revised definition, ensuring that spectacular plays like Reaves’ lob to James receive proper statistical recognition and appreciation.
This did not count as an assist for Reaves. Apparently, per the NBA rulebook, throwing a pass off the backboard intentionally to a teammate for a score can not result in an assist. Seems like an easy fix for the competition committee in the offseason. https://t.co/X0grdCgPGZ
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 4, 2026
"This did not count as an assist for Reaves. Apparently, per the NBA rulebook, throwing a pass off the backboard intentionally to a teammate for a score can not result in an assist. Seems like an easy fix," – ESPN's Dave Mcmenamin. pic.twitter.com/BEjnTA9q0W
— StatHunter (@stat_hunter) February 4, 2026
That’s wild. It’s should automatically be an assist WHEN it’s obvious the pass was intentional.
— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) February 4, 2026
JJ on this play:
"I didn't realize throwing the ball off the backboard to a teammate is not considered an assist anymore" 😂 https://t.co/LRPGOmPv4T pic.twitter.com/in7NDkA2Cl
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 4, 2026
JJ Redick reacts to Austin Reaves' highlight lob off the glass to LeBron James not counting as an assist. pic.twitter.com/Xc2YuzsLLZ
— StatHunter (@stat_hunter) February 4, 2026
Fun fact.. I stopped throwing them when they stopped counting them🙄🤣 https://t.co/JA3ZLn7NRL
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 28, 2025
